Merriweather just actually admitted that he thought giving more money to arts was a good idea what is he thinking!!!??? He should have taken Phil to task but he actually admitted the whole thing and went further than the orginal attack.

Actually MERRIFIELD (not 'Merriweather') brought the whole topic up, which I found a little odd. He sounds like a very honest man, but I'm not altogether sure he 'gets' politics.

Ronald

Was that Jeanette Littler on the phone calling in just now to ask a question about seals?

Sounds like the next question was from a Thalheimer staffer asking about Scott Peters and I'm not sure Merrifield answered the question well.

I guess after Marti Sherri didnt want to answer questions.

Id vote for either, but I really dont like that arts deal.

I thought Marshall answered the Peters and art question awful. This guy really doesn't understand politics.

I hope he'll support Phil if he and Sherri go to a run off.

Marshall is a gentleman. Period. The problem though in real politics I think with being sort of a patrician is that the masses dont want the same things (ie arts). All the same Id vote for him in a second over Sherri or whatever her name is I dont live there.

I hope that whoever doesnt make it out of the primary, Phil or Marshall, the loser endorses the winner.

We have to take that seat back from the liberals.

if phil thalheimer thinks he is going to ride anti-arts into the city council he is way off track. art is popular with the voters particularly the voters of la jolla. i think he needs to wake up and face the truth that the voters arent total idiots and that they know we need art and we need police, but that we shouldnt just give up our quality of life for more police.

Wall Street head sets support Arts over police and Fire-fighters.
So do La Jolla Liberals and RINO's. TJ emailed in to remind the audience that the Lincoln Club didn't support Peters in either 2000
or in 2004. MM should have known that,if he'd been engaged in the District for more than the last 6 months. One wonders if he knows the Diff between Soledad O'Brien and Mt Soledad Vet's Memorial? And of course, since he's in the extended Evans Family clique he wants a bridge over Rose Canyon before its determined that there's really a need. La Jolla-UTC GOP voters better wake up. Thalheimer's problem is that he doesn't brag about his conservative accomplishments and credentials and he didn't need a Janette to throw him softballs on air. Just who are the endorsers of MM's campaign anyway? Do any conservative activists on this blog know any of them? Thalheimer has Leslie Devaney, Mike Rosen, TJ Zane, Bre Kingsbury, the ABC, the bi-partisan NECA and dozens of other active community conservatives. Real conservatives need to step up and stand for something this time or we'll all get fooled AGAIN!
Its a Wall Street foot soldier Johnny come lately or a local GOP stalwart who kept Mt Soledad, an honest DPC and protected our kids with Jessica's Law. D1 is more than La Jolla and UTC. If you're from Del Mar-CV-RPQ you need to step up for Thalheimer and your community. It's never been more important for the GOP.

Alienated: You ask who are the endorsers of Merrifield. They include the liks of Tony Strickland, Sam Hardage and Nathan Fletcher. There are also a ton of influential business and community leaders. Like the guy or not, he does have a solid list of endorsements.

Allienated
I question your sincerity as an "alienated conservate." Implying your views are that of somebody alienated from the party establishment. Its quite clear that you are a Thalheimer supporter. Insulting Merifields inteligence. Complimenting Thalhiemers aledged humbleness, while not to "brag about his acomplishments"
Oh, my personal favorite. The name dropping of hired political guns. Shall I remind you that Leslie Devaney was Kathleen Madigans attorney in that whole Chula Vista fiasco. Tell me is the Thalheimer campaign going to take the side of those of us righties who are genuinly angry at the party? Do we have a new ally in Mr. Thalheimer as well as the afore mentioned endorsements? Because that would be great.

I listened to both Mr. Thalheimer and Mr. Merrifield on the Hedgecock show yesterday. Mr. Merrifield said that the Lincoln club endorsed Mr. Scott Peters, the democrat in 2004 race, then when confronted by Mr. Thalheimer that the Lincoln club had not endorse Mr. Peters, Mr. Merrifield said that they did so in 2000. I was a member of the Lincoln club in 2000 and can tell you that we endorsed Ms. Davis. I was also there in 2004, and part of the group kept Mr. Thalheimer from getting the endorsement at that time, but we certainly did not endorse Mr. Peters. In any case Mr. Merrifield should get his facts straight before he makes a fool of himself on live radio.

Merrifield does have solid endorsements. He has been a good Republican contributor over the years. Most recently he was a key player on Team Romney.There is no doubt that he is a good Republican.

I find the tax/arts issue to be interesting because it defines the difference between the more 'social conservativism' of Thalheimer and the 'establishment conservatism' of Merrifield.

What do I mean? Thalheimer is a populist, with a type of 'rage against the establishment'. In many ways, Merrifield represents that establishment.

In my view both would be adequate councilmembers. They represent different parts of the GOP. We'll see which way the voters of the district lean.

Maybe Marshall was referring to himself. You see, Merrifield endorsed Scott Peters in 2004.

Yeah, maybe it was that he was thinking about, rather than the LC.

Yes, Marshall was a good Republican. (SARCASM)

Agree

Being part of an expensive looseing expensive effort made by Mitt Romney is nothing to brag about.

"Most recently he(Merrifield) was a key player on Team Romney.There is no doubt that he is a good Republican."

Are you implying that McCain, Huckabee, and Hunter, supporters are not "good republicans?"

Marshall's team was planning a hit on Phil for this week. I do not know what it is, but some of the people on his team have been whispering about it (maybe they know Da Rat is around). Now though they are in a tizzy over Thalheimer's unexpected attack. See, because of the timing they couldn't get mail in the box disputing the claim or countering until the middle of this week...

I saw the ad on RedCounty and went to look at what Marshall himself had to say about the issue on his website:

"Recently, one of my opponents misrepresented my spending priorities in a negative mail ad. I have never said anything to anyone that would suggest that the City spend a fortune of taxpayer dollars on public art. My response to the San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition Survey that my opponent referred to in his recent negative ad is linked here for voters to review. When you read my answers to the survey, you will realize that my priorities are straight. And my opponent’s claims are crooked.

Access to the arts, music, theater, museums, and galleries are a quality of life issue for all residents. The City’s jewel, Balboa Park, is just one example. It needs inspired leadership so that it can be restored to its original beauty. Our City can be a vibrant successful City again, in the not too distant future -- if only we will elect leaders who are interested in reform more than their own personal agenda."